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OC Seeks Approval To Expand Center’s Liquor License Area

OCEAN CITY – For the first time, Ocean City will go before the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners to receive approval to expand the convention center’s liquor license.

Roland E. Powell Convention Center Director Larry Noccolino requested the town extend their area permit for the facility’s liquor license during OC Bikefest in September as well as expand the area of trailer parking at the Park and Ride during the event.

OC Bikefest is returning to Ocean City for its second edition and will be held Sept. 13-16 at the Inlet. This year two other locations have been added — Jolly Roger Amusement Park and the Roland E. Powell Convention Center.

OC Bikefest promoter Cliff Sutherland has requested to extend the convention center’s liquor license outside of the facility’s footprint for one of the event’s sponsors, Jack Daniels, to have a tent set up outside on the rear of the building in a fenced-in area on the northwest corner of the building.

The Jack Daniels tent will provide alcoholic beverages for sale. Attendees will have to provide identification proving they are of age to drink and will receive wristbands to enter the fenced in area.

Upon the Mayor and City Council’s approval, a presentation to the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners will have to follow for approval.

Councilwoman Margaret Pillas pointed out that this would be a first for the convention center to extend its liquor license.

“When Bikefest came to town … I was hoping it would stay downtown at the Inlet parking lot and let the business community handle the rest of the town,” she said stating her opposition.

The second part to the request was to “relax” the Park and Ride’s regulations during the time of the event.

“The changes at the Park and Ride would allow additional areas for trailer parking to encourage people to leave their bike trailers at the Park and Ride,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “Right not, there is a designated area for trailers. We are going to relax that so that all of the trailers, as many as possible, can be out there instead of along the streets.”

And we’re over a week removed with the council passing the “criminal” open container law. Was there actually ANY thought given prior to passing/repassing open container of the outside events OC has EVERY year?

I do want to think that the open container passage was only for safety purposes…….but with our City HALL track record and the need for $$$$$ – I will think NOT!